enid quietly sneaks into the Camping topic...what would be considered a 'standard' size tent and what would be an 'extra large' ?

[Enid]

we are buying a tent (dont tell cod). I dont want a massive one although there are 5 of us (kids 8, 5 and 2) - Tom's Field in Dorset says that they prefer 'standard' size tents and that 'extra large' ones are proving a problem for many campsites. Dh wanted to get an OUtwell bear lake which at 665 x 420 seems enormous...but then again we dont want a shitey tiny tent either...

Sal, you ARE the bloody drunk coming back!

and no doubt sing sea shanties until the small hours, then proclaim loudly that you're going to the toilet - I know your sort

btw slayerette I didn't know you had a Bear Lake - welcome to the Lakes!

You'll find that it dries much more quickly than a polyester tent as it 'breathes' so you don't get any condensation on the inside - good for camping in this country!

Thank you Lucycat! We're a bit apprehensive about putting it up for the first time but we know a v relaxed campsite where you don't have to book and the pitches aren't allocated - you just put your tent wherever there's a decent space. So we'll try it out there first. I know it will take longer to dry but it's like peachy said - we walked into it and fell in love, simple as that.

Grew up with canvas every summer and memories of rain on the tent roof at night while we were all snuggly inside - lovely!

Oh - the bit about taking longer to dry was responding to mb and sorenlorenson but lucycat, you say they dry quicker?

Tbh, as long as we don't wake up sleeping in a small lake (memories of last summer and the Vango), I'll be happy.

you know I love you sally you are a camping guru.

we certainly found the Lake dried quicker than our other tents - although they are even heavier when wet!

ok

I still love the bear lake

how big is it when folded up? we have a roofbox but not a huge boot...

we camped for 2 months in oz in van and crappy tent so I knwo that dh is super practical and a n excelletn tent putter upper. I like the curtains and little tables etc

Now I'm trying to picture the bags it came in - safely stashed in our loft at the mo! Each was about a metre long and bulky in diameter, not to mention heavy. DH swears it will fit in our roofbox .If it does, I'm not sure that much else would with it, so it's a question of what else you take with you and exactly how small your boot is!

According to the website the packed size is 31 x 98 (tent) / 31 x 98 (poles)

LOL at your dh and his matching raincoat peachy

Our Vermont L is about 7 metres long and we haven't had a problem so far.

[INDECISION]

now I am worried if it gets wet on the last day we wont be able to pack it up

oh god it is so typical of me to want the most expensive one

must get dh involved [sensible no nonsense]

Have you had a look around a show or a shop with a display?

no

I suppose I should [sigh]

Definitely do Enid. The first time we bought a tent we were sure we wanted a dome tent. We hadn't even considered a tunnel tent. We had a look around a local shop that has a big display though and realised that tunnel tents were much better for dh as he is tall.

The bear lake is lovely but there are lots of other nice tents out there.

ergh where do i find such a shop

If you go on ukcampsite.co.uk someone on there will know. I don't think you are near me but i know of two near the New Forest.

UKcampsite also have a list of the camping shows.

We went to a Yeomans camping exhibition to find our tent, they had lots on show including the bear lake when we went. If you go on their website it tells you where all of their shows are and they start as early as march.

god you lot are good

Its addictive Enid- you wait - soon you'll be looking at tent porn with the rest of us

here is a site where you can have a 'panoramic' look inside some of the tents!

Wildday also have a v good deal on vango self-inflating mats (thermarests). Good reliable site, Wildday - i bought our tent and sleepoing bags from them at a good price.

You could always wait until Easter then venture out to some campsites and see what is pitched there - campers love showing off their kit